Melissa & Harrison :: Anniston, AL

March 2, 2018 Rusty Jackson

We often hear couples reflect on their wedding day as a "blur". It's hard to remember all of the beautiful details if they aren't on film. Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience, and we know you want to remember every second! The look in your husband's eyes when he saw you for the first time in your wedding gown. Seeing your bride walk down the aisle toward you. Your family and friends looking on with love during your first dance. These are the moments you'll want to relive - again and again!

We consider it an honor every time we get the opportunity to capture a couple's love story. Being invited into the Foster's sacred day was truly a privilege and a JOY! Melissa & Harrison pledged their love and lives to one another on February 3, 2018. Their ceremony was held at Golden Springs Baptist Church in Anniston, AL, and the reception was at the Anniston Country Club.

Watching the way Melissa & Harrison love each other - and everyone around them - was a beautiful thing to behold. It’s rare to see two people that love so well (and are loved so completely)! We feel blessed to have gotten to know them, their friends, and their family!

Mr. & Mrs. Foster - we hope you feel the LOVE and JOY you experienced on your wedding day each and every time you watch this video. Congratulations again!

Hotel Finial :: Highlight Video

June 27, 2016 Rusty Jackson

This Spring we had the incredible privilege of creating a styled shoot at the newly remodeled Hotel Finial in Anniston, AL. We absolutely fell in love with this gorgeous 128 year old historic hotel, and we hope that after watching this video, you'll fall in love with it too!

We've already shared our favorite photos from this shoot, from our first blog featuring a timeless wedding look here, to our second and third looks that leaned more towards "Old Hollywood Glamour" (another wedding look and a high-end engagement look) here. We focused primarily on photography for this shoot - but we were able to steal a few minutes during our first look to also do a little videography. Check out the video below for some highlights from our shoot, and a closer look at this beautiful hotel!

As you can see, Hotel Finial is an exquisite location for a wedding - or any event that you want to make truly memorable. Contact them today to book your next event, and be sure to contact us to shoot your videography or photography! We would love to capture every memorable moment.

Hotel Finial :: Styled Shoot

June 10, 2016 Rusty Jackson

This Spring, we had the incredible privilege of creating a styled shoot at Hotel Finial in Anniston, AL. Originally built in 1888, this historic hotel was a private residence for 128 years. Later it became the Victoria Hotel, serving hundreds of visitors to the Anniston area. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair over time. In 2015 Del and Ginger Marsh decided to revive the hotel and bring back its former glory. (And we're so glad they did!)

It has been amazing to watch the transformation this hotel has undergone, and it was such an honor to shoot the first bridal photos after the renovation - before it opened to the public! Every vendor we worked with on this shoot absolutely fell in love with every detail of Hotel Finial, and we hope that after you see these photos, you'll fall in love with it too!

Our model for this shoot was a beautiful young bride named Beth. We started our day with the "bride" getting ready in the Kirby Suite. (More glimpses of this room to come in our next blog!) Our hair & makeup stylist, Christin Ray, fell in love with the natural light in this room. She did a beautiful job on Beth's loose, classic updo and gave her the perfect makeup for a springtime wedding!

From there, we moved the bride into our favorite room - the Wilson Suite. This room is incredible - from its aqua walls, to the beautiful bay window, and gilded accents. It was the perfect backdrop for these breathtaking bridal shots. Who knew that something as simple as putting on your shoes could be this beautiful?

Our flowers were provided by Alexander's Flowers and Gifts in Anniston, AL. This bouquet of coral and peach roses created such a beautiful palette for a springtime wedding!

This stunning gown, and the tux for the groom were provided by Alexander's Prom & Bridal Shop in Anniston, AL. The gown is a Private Collection piece in ivory tulle with a sheer neck, lace bodice, rhinestone trim, and beautiful sequin, bead, and pearl adornments. From the cap sleeves to the full tulle skirt and buttons down the back - it's a timeless look for any bride.

While we finished up with our bride, the groom was busy getting ready in the McKleroy Suite. Paul is actually marrying Beth in a few months, so this was a little bit of a preview of what's to come for them! He expressed that he was a little nervous about seeing his "bride to be" (even if this wasn't their actual wedding day!)

Beth admitted that she too had butterflies as we got closer and closer to the moment Paul would see her for the first time in a wedding gown! You can see the excitement on her face as she waited to go meet her groom!

Once our models were ready, we decided to do a real "first look" with the two of them. We had the groom wait at the foot of the stairs, while the bride walked down to surprise him.

Beth and Paul were so sweet! They were truly excited and even a little emotional. This was almost like a dress rehearsal for their big day in August!

As you can see in these photos, the new style of the hotel is "past-forward" - holding true to the historic victorian architecture, original floors, chandeliers, and stained glass windows - while embracing a modern touch with glamorous decor chosen by owner Ginger Marsh and interior decorator Patsy McKinney of "Above and Beyond".

Every detail of Hotel Finial has been carefully selected. Ginger and Patsy couldn't have created a more beautiful location for a wedding, and they're now adding event planning to their plate with their new business, "Beyond the Finial"! So if you're looking for a timeless, unique location for your wedding day (or any special event), we would definitely recommend booking the Hotel Finial!

*The Hotel Finial Styled Shoot continues! Stay tuned for another blog to come with our 2nd and 3rd glamorous looks from this day!

Hannah & Richard :: Camp Sumatanga (Gallant, AL)

June 1, 2016 Rusty Jackson

May 7th was one of those perfect days… blue skies, sunshine, a gentle breeze and unseasonably cool temperatures for springtime in Alabama. I guess when you’ve been waiting 7 years to marry the love of your life, God gives you a perfect wedding day.

Hannah and Richard met when they were in the 5th grade. They became best friends in middle school, and continued to grow closer as they grew up. They went to school together, and worked together in the summers at Camp Sumatanga. Then suddenly something changed. Their friendship evolved into something more, and their freshman year of high school, they became a couple.

Now both in college at Auburn University, they look back at Camp Sumatanga as “their place”. In Hannah’s words “everything happened for us at Camp”. This is the place their love story began… and so it only made sense that this would be the place they would begin their life together as husband and wife!

It was so sweet to see Hannah's mom & grandmother helping her get ready. We love this shot of their hands and rings together... 3 generations of "Happily Ever Afters"!

Before she had her “first look” with Richard, Hannah chose to have special moment with the first man in her life, her Daddy.

Then it was time to head down to the lake to her waiting groom! They were so happy to finally see each other, and ready to say "I Do!"

Hannah and Richard had such a beautiful wedding party. She was thrilled to see how everything she’d planned so carefully came together… from the gorgeous sage green dresses on her bridesmaids, to the suspenders and matching bowties (handmade by a groomsman) on the fellas!

This couple had plenty of family there to celebrate with them. You can see there’s a LOT of love on both sides for the new Mr. & Mrs.!

They said their vows by the lake at sunset. Hannah’s aunt officiated the ceremony, which added such a special touch.

Once they said, “I Do!” and Richard kissed his bride, it was time to party! And let me tell you - this crew knows how to party!

The guests danced ‘till they were about to drop (and we might have danced a little while we shot too! It’s hard to stand still when everyone is having such a great time! Especially when “Ice Ice Baby” comes on!)

As the evening wound down, the bride and groom got ready for their getaway! They exited their wedding in the middle of a huge group of family and friends… cheering them on as they began their Happily Ever After!

Congratulations Hannah & Richard! We wish you so much love and happiness. Thank you for letting us be a part of the “BEST DAY EVER!”